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"But it is the emphasis that is all wrong.
The homebuilds, the innovative, the one of a kind, and the associated issues and
activities should be the centerpiece; and the other stuff can gather around.
Otherwise it is no longer the EAA; and it is not living up to its
name."
The problem is that the homebuilts, the
one-of-a-kinds, and associated activities don't bring in as much money as the
warbirds and the airshow. MONEY is now the primary driving factor of the whole
EAA, Airventure organization. We, the members with less than $ .5
million in our checking account, and those who don't have a P-51
and an Extra 300 or Giles or two out in the backyard hangar, are just in
the way... although our continuous flow of funds is appreciated by those
who are in charge of this "non-profit" organization (Tom Poberezny). Our planes
and ideas are just filler material to make the whole thing look bigger so more
people come, so they make more money.
Just take the average few years attendance
of 750K people and multiply it times a McDonald's 1/4lb cheeseburger at $4 and
the truth will be revealed. Then do that with the admission charges, the
camping, EAA merchandising, etc.... They are making MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ONE
WEEK! and that's not including EAA annual memberships and dues.
Now look at what we, the members get out of
our EAA membership. We get the honor of being able to attend this event and give
them more money, we get a half-assed version of "Flying" magazine with very
little pertaining to actually working on or building your own airplane (unless
it's the latest $150K factory fast-build kit), and we get the benefit of joining
a local chapter, where we may actually gain something of value in terms of help
and knowledge from people who, like us, do not make a red cent off this
deal.
Now look at what is spent on the EAA
museum, the supposed beneficiary of this whole thing (a very nice museum,
but not what it could be if the total funds recieved were available), and then
look at poor old Tommy P. He slaves away day after day making sure things are
going in the right direction for this once a year money-making event, taking
only enough time the rest of the entire year to flit around in his P-51, or
any of his other stable of aircraft. He is a multi-millionare thanks to
us.
Not only that, but practically ALL the
labor for this HIGH DOLLAR show is not just volunteers... THEY HAVE PAID TO
VOLUNTEER! Even at our little local airshow, we wouldn't DREAM of charging those
who give freely of their time for walking through the gate to do so. That is
why, when I go up there, I don't even CONSIDER helping out as a
"volunteer".
Maybe Tommy and the crowd should get
together with somebody like Oral Roberts and make a real killing..like they
haven't already. Mike C.
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